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Stage 10 of 10Get the keys·Instantly to two weeks

Stamp Duty, Land Registry, and changing addresses — finishing the move

Stamp Duty rates for first-time buyers in the UK, Land Registry fees, and the address-change checklist for the first two weeks in your new home.

Typical timescale
Instantly to two weeks
Approximate cost
Stamp Duty (varies) + £250–£500 Land Registry fee
When in the journey
Phase 4 of 4 — Get the keys

What happens at this stage

Solicitor pays your SDLT within 14 days and registers your ownership with HM Land Registry. You change your address with banks, employer, DVLA, GP, and the electoral roll.

What to do, in order

  1. 1Confirm the solicitor has paid SDLT.
  2. 2Update your address with banks, DVLA, GP, electoral roll.
  3. 3Take meter readings to the new utility providers.

Watch out for

  • Missing the 14-day SDLT deadline.
  • Forgetting Royal Mail redirection (~£35 for 6 months).
  • Discovering a flagged issue from the survey isn't fixed — follow up.

Frequently asked

Do first-time buyers pay Stamp Duty in the UK?
First-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland pay 0% Stamp Duty on the first £425,000 (up to a maximum property price of £625,000). Above that, normal rates apply. Wales and Scotland use Land Transaction Tax and Land and Buildings Transaction Tax respectively.
When do I need to pay Stamp Duty?
Within 14 days of completion. Your solicitor typically files the return and pays HMRC on your behalf, but the legal responsibility is yours — check it's been done.

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Last updated: 1 July 2026 · Clinkeys is not a regulated advisor. For binding decisions, always confirm with a solicitor, broker, or surveyor.